Murraya spp.

orange jasmine and curry tree

Rutaceae

Tropical and subtropical Asia and Australasia

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Fragrant (strong)Container Friendly

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 10–12

Overview

Murraya spp. is a genus of about 12 species of evergreen shrubs and small trees in the citrus family, native to tropical and subtropical Asia, northern Australia, and the Pacific. Plants carry glossy, pinnate (feather-like) leaves divided into many small leaflets that are dotted with oil glands and aromatic when crushed. Clusters of white, five-petalled flowers, strongly scented in many species, appear through the warm months and are followed by small berries that ripen orange to red. Orange jasmine (M. paniculata) is grown as a hedge and specimen for its scented flowers, while the curry tree (M. koenigii) is grown for its leaves, used as a seasoning in South Asian cooking. The genus is frost-tender and is killed or cut back by temperatures near freezing. In some warm regions M. paniculata has naturalized and is treated as a weed, and it can host citrus pests and disease.

Native Range

Murraya spp. is native to tropical and subtropical Asia, ranging from India and southern China through Southeast Asia to northern Australia and the western Pacific islands. Species grow in lowland forest, forest edges, and scrub. M. koenigii occurs naturally in the foothills of the Himalayas and across the Indian subcontinent.

Suggested Uses

Grown as hedges, screens, foundation shrubs, and clipped specimens in frost-free gardens, and in containers elsewhere. M. koenigii is grown in herb and kitchen gardens for its leaves. Plants are spaced 3 to 6 feet (0.9 to 1.8 m) apart for a hedge and wider as specimens.

How to Identify

Recognized by glossy, evergreen pinnate leaves with many small leaflets that smell of citrus or curry when crushed, and by clusters of white, scented, five-petalled flowers. The flowers give way to small ovoid berries that ripen orange to red, each with one or two seeds. The aromatic compound leaves and citrus-like flowers place Murraya spp. in the citrus family, near Citrus spp. and Clausena spp..

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height6' - 20'

Width/Spread6' - 12'

Colors

Flower Colors

white

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~12 weeks

Spring Summer Fall

In warm climates flowering occurs in flushes through spring, summer, and fall, often several times a year, and can be triggered by rain after a dry spell. The white flowers are short-lived but heavily scented, especially in M. paniculata. Berries follow and ripen over several weeks.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 5-9 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

Reaches mature size in 3 to 6 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plants grow in full sun to part shade and moist, fertile, well-drained soil, and grow steadily in warm, humid conditions. Watering is needed in dry spells, as the foliage wilts and drops in drought, though established plants tolerate brief dryness. The genus is frost-tender and is grown in containers moved under cover where winters are cold. Plants respond to light feeding through the growing season with denser growth and more flowers. Scale, whitefly, and sooty mold are common pests, and orange jasmine can carry citrus greening disease in citrus-growing regions.

Pruning

Plants tolerate regular trimming and are clipped as hedges or shaped as small trees, usually after a flush of bloom. Hard pruning into old wood is followed by fresh growth from the base. Curry trees are kept lower by tip-pruning to draw out leafy shoots for harvest.